Images : Shakira in World Cup 2010

Shakira in FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa.

Concert review: World Cup kick-off concert in Johannesburg, South Africa

“It's time for Africa,” boomed the voice of the announcer in Johannesburg's Orlando Stadium on Thursday, at the climax of the all-star concert kicking off soccer's World Cup. “It's time for Shakira!”

The announcement laid bare an inconsistency that many consider a problem as Africa celebrates its first time hosting this massive sporting event. The tourney's official anthem is a cover of the Cameroonian song “Waka Waka” by the Colombian pop star Shakira, who headlined Thursday's show. Many South Africans have protested the choice of a non-African artist as the World Cup's musical voice; this concert occurred in the wake of the debate and staged its own argument about where African music resides in the world.

The event, telecast on ESPN2 and streamed live on Vevo.com, featured more African performers than visitors, spanning generations, styles and national borders. Venerated elder Hugh Masakela was first to appear, playing his flugelhorn in accompaniment to the young South African star Lira. Others featured included the Malians Amadou & Mariam and Vieux Farka Toure, the desert rock band Tinariwen, Beninoise singer Angelique Kidjo and South African folk hero Vusi Mahlasela.

Somali expat K'Naan, who now lives in Canada, brought down the house with his “Wavin' Flag,” which many had hoped would become the tournament's official anthem. Kidjo and Mahlasela performed separately and together, sampling from their rich catalogs to present a variety of African music, including protest cries and party shouts.

African rock music got its moment too, as BLK JKS shared the stage with Alicia Keys for a Curtis Mayfield-style jam. Goth-flavored rockers the Parlotones got a song, as did the hip-hop group Big Nuz featuring DJ Tira though that lively bunch was seen only on the Internet stream, sacrificed to a commercial break on television.

The varied sounds made by these stars -- most of whom have successful crossover careers in Europe and America -- placed the day's non-African performers in context.

Keys and John Legend worked extra hard to keep their short sets groovy, tapping into the spirit of African drumming that permeated the whole show. The Black Eyed Peas opened with a fairly standard set, but members will.i.am and Taboo made cameo appearances with other artists that indicated the consummate pop group's desire to make global connections (or to maintain global domination).

Taboo's moment came during an excellent set by Colombian singer Juanes, whose soukous-flavored guitar lines and rolling rhythms brightly illustrated how Latin music belongs to the African diaspora. The Chicano member of the Peas offered a sharp rap and shouted “Viva Mexico,” in favor of his favorite soccer team.

Joining K'Naan, will.i.am grabbed whatever flag was handy at what could have been the concert's crowning moment, the boisterous singalong to “Wavin' Flag.” But then came Shakira, in an ill-advised Roberto Cavalli outfit that looked like a costume from “The Lion King.”

Despite her fashion misstep, the Colombian powerhouse made a case for herself with a set that focused on the heavy beats in her own music -- not just “Waka Waka” but also the samba-flavored “Hips Don't Lie” and the more contemporary electro beats of “She Wolf.”

Shakira's career is a global phenomenon, as is soccer itself. Bilingual and truly cosmopolitan, she represents the audience who'll be cheering on this month's champions as well as any pop star could. Thursday, her answer to those who've criticized her song was a visual as well as a musical one: She filled the stage with African dancers, singers and musicians, who almost overshadowed her as she performed the song. It was just a symbolic gesture, but a strong one in this evening-long review of pop music's journey from Africa to every corner of the earth, and back.

-- Ann Powers

Photo: Shakira at the FIFA World Cup kick-off concert in Johannesburg, South Africa. Credit: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images.

Shakira, Bono, R. Kelly, Russell Brand Score With World Cup Anthems

Skakira's official FIFA World Cup song 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' has much company among 2010 soccer anthems.

By Gil Kaufman


It's hard enough to get Americans pumped up to watch a bunch of other country's teams play soccer, but one thing we can all agree on is that the crazy-quilt Pangaea of World Cup anthems is an amazing spectacle to behold. From Shakira's Official FIFA World Cup song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" to Russell Brand and Robbie Williams' remake of England's unofficial soccer song, "Three Lions," there are a head-spinning array of choices when it comes to soccer soundtracks for the planet's biggest sporting event.

Colombian hip-swiveler Shakira teamed up with South Africa's Freshlyground for the tournament's official song. The propulsive Afro-techno "Waka Waka" has the perfect mix of inspirational lyrics — "The pressure's on, you feel it/ It's time for Africa, your time to shine" — and a raise-the-roof vibe that you can picture pumping out of stereos from Johannesburg to Pittsburgh.

No slouch in the inspiration department, Mr. "I Believe I Can Fly" himself, R. Kelly, also cooked up an official FIFA World Cup anthem with a little ditty he calls "Sign of a Victory." The collabo with the Soweto Spiritual Singers choir — who will perform the song with Kelly at Friday's opening ceremonies — bubbles along on a syncopated, African percussion beat while Kelly sings, "I can feel the spirit of the nation/ And I can feel my wings riding the wind." The choir backs him up with an uplifting, wordless chant under the chorus "That's the sign of a victory." He also manages to incorporate the phrases, "let the games begin," "we can achieve anything, including the impossible," "raise the flag" and "scream like you want to win."

Somalian/Canadian rapper K'Naan also went the inspirational route with his official Coca-Cola anthem, "Wavin' Flag," which has the rising-up-from-oppression vibe of a classic Bob Marley tune. With assists from Will.I.Am and David Guetta, the soaring tune camouflages a song about poverty and oppression in a heart-stirring call to arms to let your banner fly.

Pepsi wasn't about to get aced out of this action, so it recruited Akon and Keri Hilson to make a video with soccer stars Lionel Messi of Argentina and Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba called "Oh Africa," as part of the celebration of the continent's first hosting duty for the global event. It also has the obligatory South African township jive stomp, and like the other songs, is as much about Africa's spot in the sun as it is about sports.

And because there's probably some rule about Bono having to participate in any globally unifying event, the U2 singer hooked up with Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo and John Legend for a thumping, Afro-pop cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up."

Another cover that was recorded as an unofficial English World Cup anthem is a banging remake of Tears for Fears' "Shout" called "Shout for England," laid down by U.K. rapper Dizzee Rascal and actor James Corden at the behest of former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell. It has a thundering chorus that adds a thick acid-house beat to the original tune as Rascal spits lyrics to inspire England's soccer stars to victory.

For no apparent reason, New York's We Are Scientists have also offered up a song for England's club, the appropriately named, "Goal! England," a slice of T. Rex-inspired garage rock thunder that features the unforgettable lines, "Kicking the kicking the kicking the kicking the ball/ Kicking it into the goal/ Go, go, go, go go ... England!"

Then there is the official FIFA Mascot song from Cuban-American rapper Pitbull, who hooked up with South African group TKZee and England's Dario G to let the dogs out for the high NRG club banger "Game On." Taking things a little less seriously is U.K. legend Robbie Williams, who formed "The Squad" with comedians Russell Brand, Daniel Baddiel and Frank Skinner to record a remake of England's unofficial soccer song, "Three Lions." The mash of opera, a soaring choir singing, "It's coming home/ Football's coming home," a bouncy, Madness-like ska pop vibe and self-deprecating soccer-centric lyrics about England's chances of regaining football glory make for a lovably comic mess.

Among the other acts on the FIFA-sanctioned soundtrack to the international soccer showdown, Listen Up!: The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album, are: Nneka ("Viva Africa"), Matisyahu featuring Nameless ("One Day"), Wyclef Jean, J Pre, Jazmine Sullivan and B. Howard ("Ke Nako"), and late South African opera singer Siphiwo Ntshebe (known as the "black Pavarotti") featuring former South African president Nelson Mandela ("Hope").

And of course, if none of these tunes provide the right kick, there's always the unofficial World Cup Song contest, with nearly 400 entries. The top five is currently dominated by England, with Christian singer Gerry Asmus' "It's Our Game," a flowery pop piffle about King George and English pride, holding down the top spot at press time.

Alicia Keys, Shakira, Peas take part in 2010 World Cup concert

By Michelly Rall, Getty Images for Live Earth

Alicia Keys, Shakira and the Black Eyed Peas helped rock Soweto's 40,000-seat Orlando stadium tonight for a concert celebrating Africa's first World Cup.

Thousands of fans cheered in a frenzy of flag-waving, drumming and African-inspired dancing, reports AP.

Other acts included veteran South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, new South African star, Lira, blind duo Amadou & Mariam of Mali and Colombian rocker's Juanes.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in full South African green-and-yellow fan regalia, led the crowd in cheers for Nelson Mandela, who is credited with sealing South Africa's bid to host the World Cup. Tutu also acknowledged the fans from around the world: "We welcome you all. For Africa is the cradle of humanity, so we welcome you home."

FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert live continue

Some of the most exciting moments of the 2010 World Cup will take place before the first match even takes place. With a star studded lineup, you won’t want to miss watching the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert tonight. There are several different ways to watch the Kick-Off Concert in a live stream online, so read on for more info!
Watch in AXN 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert begins at 8 p.m. local time in South Africa (this is 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, fyi).

The lineup for the Kick-Off Concert is long and impressive, including artists from all over the world. Among the talent scheduled to perform, there’s Shakira, Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, K’Naan, Amadou and Mariam, Angélique Kidjo and Tinariwen.

One way to watch a live stream of the 2010 World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert is by heading over to ESPN and seeing if you have access to its online broadcast. While ESPN3 is only available if you are using an approved internet services provider or other affiliate, it’s undoubtedly a way to get great quality picture and sound. Your other option to watch the World Cup opening concert online is to use a website that streams the concert live. While there are many such sites, it’s important to note that they might not be available in your area due to local regulations. Finally, you can always sign up for a satellite TV program for your computer, at a small fee.